← All freshwater rigs

FRESHWATER RIG LIBRARY

Drop Shot Rig

A Palomar knot holds the hook out from the line, point up, and the weight is tied to the tag end below it. The bait hangs off the bottom right in front of the fish.

Best forBass, peacock bass, panfish
WhereDeep structure, docks, clear water
MethodFinesse / vertical
DifficultyModerate
Drop Shot Rig — BigJoe rig illustration
Main lineHook + finesse wormPalomar knotTag end (drop)Drop-shot weight

Rig diagram (component order)

Drop Shot Rig: Main line, Hook + finesse worm, Palomar knot, Tag end (drop), Drop-shot weight

Real tackle photo

Drop-shot rig: hook standing off the line, cylinder weight on the tag end
Photo: Danndorfer1914, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Step-by-step how-to

Drop Shot Rig How-To Graphic
Graphic: Tackle Village, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr

Step-by-step build instructions

  1. 1

    Tie the hook with a Palomar knot, leaving a 12–18 in tag.

  2. 2

    Pass the tag back down through the eye so the point stands up.

  3. 3

    That tag becomes the drop line below the hook.

  4. 4

    Clip or tie the drop-shot weight on the end.

  5. 5

    Nose-hook a small finesse worm.

  6. 6

    Keep the weight on the bottom and shake slack line so the bait quivers.

BigJoe Tips

  • Shake the slack, not the weight.
  • Shorter drop near the bottom, longer when fish suspend.
  • Thin, light-wire hooks give more action.
  • Use your electronics: drop shot shines on fish you can see.

Variations

  • Wacky-hook the worm for a different fall.
  • Texas-rig an EWG hook for weedy spots.
  • Small minnow baits for peacock bass.
  • Tungsten weights for rocks.

🛒 Get the parts

Everything for this rig on Amazon:

Prefer to shop by store? See BigJoe's full gear guide →

As an Amazon Associate, BigJoe earns from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra and helps keep this guide free.

Target Species

Largemouth bassMicropterus nigricansButterfly peacock bassCichla ocellarisRedbreast sunfishLepomis auritus